The butterfly has long been a symbol of transformation, elegance, and adaptability. Inspired by its delicate wings, Chrysalis is a dynamic wearable that reimagines how fashion can respond to the needs of its wearer. The design draws from the lightweight, flexible nature of butterfly wings, integrating silicone-based soft robotic structures capable of expanding and contracting in a graceful, organic motion. These movements mimic the natural opening and closing of butterfly wings, offering both visual beauty and functionality.

The project began with the vision of creating a garment that could adapt dynamically to changing environments, much like a butterfly adjusting to its surroundings. By leveraging the principles of soft robotics, Chrysalis demonstrates how technology and nature can intersect, resulting in a wearable that not only captivates visually but also functions as a responsive, adaptive piece of art. This exploration of movement, form, and interaction showcases the potential for fashion to evolve into a truly transformative experience, blurring the lines between engineering, design, and self-expression.

This project tackles several complex technical challenges in the pursuit of integrating soft robotics into wearable design. The first challenge involved the creation of lightweight, flexible structures that mimic the organic motion of butterfly wings. Silicone-based components were designed and cast using custom molds to achieve the delicate expansion and contraction needed for the garment. The process required extensive experimentation with materials and fabrication techniques to balance durability, flexibility, and aesthetic appeal. The second challenge centered on delivering air to these soft robotic elements. This required over 50 pumps to operate each individual butterfly, making the system impractical for portability or wearability.

The silicone butterfly structures were successfully developed through extensive CAD modeling, mold fabrication, and casting, resulting in lightweight, flexible components capable of mimicking the graceful expansion and contraction of butterfly wings. However, the issue of air delivery posed a significant hurdle. Each butterfly required its own tube and sufficient air pressure. This complexity rendered the design impractical, especially given the lack of a wearable air compressor capable of powering such a system. The absence of a compact and portable solution for air delivery made it clear that while the butterfly concept was feasible in isolation, it was not wearable in its current form. This limitation led to a reevaluation of the project, highlighting the challenges of scaling soft robotic designs for functional and portable applications.